Kataza House

Full Description

Experience unparalleled comfort in Rwanda’s most exclusive luxury villa rental. Designed to harmonize with its unique natural surroundings, Kataza House offers an unparalleled experience. Featuring two heated plunge pools, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and expansive timber-framed windows, the Singita luxury villa rental seamlessly integrates the breath taking scenery into your living space. Located on the edge of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, it offers easy access to unforgettable gorilla-trekking adventures.

The luxury villa rental offers four opulent suites, allowing you to fully savour the transformative experience of encountering the majestic gorillas in their natural habitat. Offering a blend of comfort and sophistication, with amenities including a fully-equipped fitness centre, a two-bedroom staff residence, a cinema, and a wine cellar. Guests’ needs are met intuitively with a massage treatment room, an interactive kitchen, and a fire pit perfect for the evenings.

The onsite Akarabo Garden provides abundant fresh produce, enhancing the villa’s farm-to-table culinary journey that celebrates the vibrant flavours of this warm and welcoming country. Nestled amidst the majestic Virunga mountains in Rwanda, allowing you to appreciate the transformative experience of encountering gentle giants of the forest.

Layout

Master Suite:

• 1 x double bed, en-suite bathroom with indoor bath, indoor and outdoor showers, private smaller heated pool

Bedroom 2 – 4 (Suites):

• 1 x king-size bed or 2 x twin beds, en-suite bathroom with indoor bath, indoor and outdoor showers

Features & Amenities

Services

Included:

• Expert advice and personalised itinerary planning
• Tailored services and concierge support
• Laundry and valet services
• Full staff complement, including a private chef, house manager, and house staff
• All meals and beverages, including premium wines, spirits, and liqueurs
• Daily laundry service

For Families:

• Children of all ages are welcome
• Childminding services available
• Tailored activities: cooking, board games, stargazing, cycling, arts & crafts, movies, swimming, birding, nursery and garden tours
• Nature walks and Golden Monkey treks (min age 12)
• Gorilla trekking (min age 15)
• Activity booklets designed for children

Conservation Room:

• Managed by specialist conservationists
• Pre-trek briefings on gorilla trekking and park regulations
• Features educational tools: big screen TV, iMacs, books, maps, conservation wall
• Gear borrowing from Singita’s Gear Room
• Showcases work of photographer Robert Ian Martin (“Bob”) Campbell

Akarabo Nursery:

• Garden and teahouse with fresh herbal infusions
• Live demonstrations by local artisans: weaving, carving, sewing
• Immersive cultural experience promoting sustainability

Pottery Experience:

• Wheel-throwing with glazing and painting
• Peaceful setting with studio staff guidance

Farm-to-Table Garden:

• Organic produce used in daily meals
• Culinary inspiration from local flavours and fresh ingredients

Wine Experience:

• Award-winning wine program with premium and rare selections
• Expert sommeliers lead tastings in a temperature-controlled cellar

Hiking & Walking:

• Explore Volcanoes National Park and surrounding areas
• Activities organised with private driver guides and vehicles

Bird Watching:

• Home to diverse and endemic bird species
• Led by knowledgeable conservationists

Yoga:

• Yoga mats and sequence guide available for private use in rooms or on deck

Cycling:

• 8 mountain bikes available for adults and children (10+)
• Routes around the lodge and through the Rwandan countryside
• Options for longer rides to Volcanoes HQ or with Team Africa Rising
• Guided by conservationists; helmets provided

Walking and Running Trail:

• 2.2km scenic trail starting from the lodge through eucalyptus forest
• Unguided trail with city views and peaceful nature
• Best enjoyed in dry seasons (June–September & December–February)
• Caution advised due to potential wildlife (e.g., buffalo)

Location

Nestled amidst Rwanda’s Virunga mountains, Kataza House offers a journey of discovery, providing inner restoration and a serene escape. The luxury Kataza villa rental is set within a landscape of wetlands and lush meadows with magnificent views of the Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura volcanoes.

Distances

Your Journey to Reach Singita Volcanoes National Park starts with international flights that arrive at Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. Either be accessed by a 30-minute helicopter flight or a 3-hour road transfer from Kigali.
The drive is wonderfully scenic, but quite winding and hilly. Guests are therefore advised to pack motion sickness tablets, if needed.

It’s also important to note that there’s only one public rest stop on the way. Direct flights from Singita Grumeti in Tanzania to Kigali are available.

There are also good connections on Rwanda Air between Kigali and Cape Town/Johannesburg in South Africa. This makes Singita Volcanoes National Park an excellent destination in combination with other wilderness destinations in Africa.

Please note that guests are required to book and pay for a Driver Guide and vehicle for every day of their stay at Singita Volcanoes National Park to facilitate all activities as well as transfers to and from Kigali. Having a Driver Guide and vehicle ensures flexibility so that guests can plan their days according to preference.

Pricing

Price on Request

Excluded (offered at an additional fee):

• Wellness Treatments: Bespoke massages and healing rituals using indigenous wisdom and essential oils, performed in serene massage spaces.
• Yoga Sessions: Vinyasa and Yin yoga led by skilled instructors. Bookings can be arranged with the front-of-house team.
• Boutique & Gallery: Unique African treasures, including sculptures, home décor, jewellery, and art. Worldwide shipping available.
• Premier Wine Boutique: Offers exclusive vintage wines, including rare ‘Icons’ and ‘Limited Release’ labels. Wines may be purchased for home delivery or taken with guests at the end of their stay.
• Musanze Caves Tour: $50 per person; 1-hour experience.
• Community Tours: Visit the village of Gasura (30 minutes from the villa). $60 per person for a 2-hour interactive cultural tour (recommended times: 9am or 2pm).
• Community Culinary School Visit: A $100 donation per guest supports local culinary education.
• Gorilla Trekking: $1,500 per person. Trek duration: 1 to 8 hours depending on the allocated gorilla family. Minimum age: 15.
• Golden Monkey Trekking: $100 per person. Duration: 1 to 4 hours. Minimum age: 12.
• Dian Fossey Gravesite Hike: $75 per person. Duration: 2 to 3 hours each way, depending on fitness.
• Mount Bisoke Crater Lake Hike: $75 per person. Duration: 3 to 4 hours each way.
• Kigali City Tour: Includes visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial and other cultural sites. Tours may be guided or self-guided.
• Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund: Located nearby; offers immersive, educational experiences on mountain gorilla conservation.

Additional Charges:

• Tourism Development Levy
• Purchases from the Singita Boutique & Gallery
• Massage treatments
• Certain special meal requests
• Day trips or transfers to/from Singita Volcanoes National Park
• Transfers to/from the lodge
• Activities not mentioned above
• Permits for gorilla trekking, golden monkey treks, or other Volcanoes National Park activities (subject to change)
• Singita Kataza House: Day Use Rate for early check-in or late checkout

Please Note:
Guests are encouraged to carry approximately $50 in cash for gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, or Volcanoes National Park hikes. This includes a minimum $10 porter fee and tips for park guides and trackers.